Method of closing the seams of sheet-metal cans



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

" GEORGE PERKINS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

METHOD OF CLOSING THE SEAMS OF SHEET-METAL CANS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 252,795, dated January 24, 1882.

Application filed November 10, 1880. (No specimens.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, GEORGE H. PERKINS. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Method of Closing the Seams ot' Sheet-Metal Cans, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to sheet-metal cans in general of varying shapes, but more especially to quadrangular cans employed for the storage and transportation of petroleum and other fluids.

Heretofore it has been customary to close the seams of the heads or tops and bottoms ofthese cans either by means of seaming or squeezing machines in which sliding dies conformed to the portions of the seams to be closed have been forced up against the seams so as to effect closure, or else by means ofseaming-rolls caused to travel in contact with the seams.

In the first-mentioned method it has been found that the metal of the corner portions has been left somewhat rough, while the seam has not always been as tightly closed as is desirable, while in the last method closure has been imperfectly effected at parts of the seam, the metal being rolled or forced out of place ahead otthe roll by the action of thelatter, although the seam has been more smooth than when formed by the first-named method.

My invention consists in first subjecting the tops and bottoms of the cans to be closcd,when

in place upon the bodies, to the action of sliding dies or squeezers, and in then subjecting the heads so squeezed upon the can-bodies to the action of seaming-rolls.

By the above method I am enabled to obtain a very perfect closure of the cans and to form a smoother seam and one better adapted 'to take the solder than has heretofore been possible. The closure is so tightasto almosthermeticall y seal the can, effecting a large savingin amount of solder required for subsequent sealing.

I do not desire to restrict myself to anyone specific squeezer for effecting the squeezing op eration, nor to any one specific seaming apparatus for effecting the roll-seaming operation, but

Letters Patent ot the United States, is

What I do claim, and desire to secure by The method of closing the head-seams of sheet metal cans hereinbefore set forth, which consists in first subjecting the heads in place upon the body to the action ofsliding or squeezing dies, and in then subjecting the squeezed heads to the action of seaming-rolls, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereot'l have hereunto signed my name this 8th day of November, A. I). 1880.

GEORGE H. PERKINS. In presence of J. BONSALL TAYLOR, JoHN JOLLEY, Jr. 

